Sustained release control via photo-cross-linking of polyelectrolyte layer-by-layer hollow capsules

We describe the formation and permeability of polyelectrolyte multilayer hollow-shell capsules by photo-cross-linking and controlled-release (fluorescence) studies. The hollow shells were prepared by alternate layer-by-layer (LbL) adsorption of photo-cross-linkable benzophenone modified poly(allylamine hydrochloride) and poly(sodium 4-styrenesulfonate) on polystyrene particles, followed by removing the core with tetrahydrofuran. Zeta potential measurements, fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and transmission electron microscopy were used to verify the LbL process integrity. A model drug, rhodamine B (RB), was successfully loaded into the polyelectrolyte hollow capsules. The release kinetics of RB was investigated using fluorescence spectroscopy. The permeability of RB through the hollow shells was effectively controlled based on UV irradiation time. It was shown that the release of RB molecules can be controlled by the degree of cross-linking induced in the multilayer.